KET announces 24-hour channel dedicated to children’s programming

Daniel Tiger of “Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood” visited children at Russell School Community Services Center on Wednesday to promote KET PBS Kids. McKenna Horsleymhorsley@herald-leader.com

Daniel Tiger of “Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood” visited children at Russell School Community Services Center on Wednesday to promote KET PBS Kids. McKenna Horsleymhorsley@herald-leader.com

Kentucky children can watch “Sesame Street” whenever and wherever they want with PBS and KET’s new channel, which broadcasts free 24-hour children’s programming.

KET announced the new programming Wednesday at the Russell Schools Community Services Center, but the KET PBS Kids channel is already broadcasting.

Kentucky residents can get the channel on cable, Spectrum, Comcast, KET.org/kids, PBSkids.org, or the PBS Kids video app.

Nielsen data shows that most children watch TV on weeknights and weekend afternoons and evenings, KET officials said. The KET PBS Kids channel will reach children during those prime-time windows and provide education, all the time.

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Shae Hopkins, executive director and CEO of KET, said the network is about lifelong learning, and said the kids channel could help children receive education before attending kindergarten. More than half of Kentucky children aren’t prepared for the grade, and many don’t attend formal preschools, she said.

“KET PBS Kids is a new on-air and online channel that is dedicated to education, nonviolent, commercial-free programming,” Hopkins said.

Sharon Price, Head Start director for the Community Action Council, said quality childhood education builds on what children learn by treating every moment as a planned opportunity to enrich language skills, self-confidence and problem-solving skills.

She said the center partners with KET and other Central Kentucky organizations to “provide enriching environments and positive learning environments for our children.”

“All around the clock, the child’s brain is making new connections and pathways that are laying the foundation for a lifetime of learning,” Price said.